Samuel t



(No Model.)

S. T. WILLIAMS.

WHEEL.

.No. 337,223. Patented Mar. 2, 1886..

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NITED STATES PATENT Erica.

SAMUEL T. WILLIAMS, on RED BANK, NEW JERSEY.

WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.337,223, dated March 21886.

Application filed J ul y 1, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL T. WILLIAMs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Red Bank, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wheels, of whichthe following is a-full, clear, and exact description.

This invention is one of a series having for its object the productionof efficient means for applying tension to that class of wheels usingmetallic spokes. Such wheels are commonly provided with a metallic rim,aseries of spokes arranged in pairs or made duplex, and a hub orequivalent part having a movable or adj ustable member, whereby thespokes may be spread apart to increase the tensionupon them.

The present invention consists in an axlebox provided with a holder forone end of the spokes at the inner end of the box, and by friction heldon the box, and a second holder for the other ends of the spokesadjustable on the axle and box, all substantially as and for thepurposes hereinafter particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, in which like parts are designated by similar lettersof reference, Figure 1 is a side elevation of half of awheel embodyingmy invention, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the hub and aquarter of the wheel, the scale being enlarged over Fig. 1.

A is the axle-nib,pr0vided with one or more shoulders or collars, B, andthe nut O, screwthreaded or otherwise constructed to engage theaxle-nib, and also screw-threaded on a portion of its external surface.inner sleeve, D, which extends into the box around the axle-nib. Theaxle-box proper, E, is recessed to fit the collars or shoulders B, andhas a beveled portion, F, in which is a cavity or groove fitted with arubber or leather or equivalent gasket, G. The holder for the inner endsof the spokes consists of the annulus H, provided with aradially-grooved annular projection, I, to receive theinner headed endsof the spokes, which are secured therein against lateral displacement bythe annular face-plate J, having a screw-thread to engage a screw-threadon the annulus H, as in a concurrent application. The outer interiorsurface of the annulus H is beveled to correspond with the bevel F ofthe box, which latter, or its elastic cushion Gr, forms a friction- Thisnut has an seat for said annulus. The inner end, K, of annulus H isextended to cover and protect the shoulders of the axle-nib and theirjoint with the'box, to exclude dust and dirt. The holder for the outerends of the spokes consists of an annulus, L, in which the spokes areheld as in the other spoke-holder just described; but this holder hasits end next the box seated flat thereon, so as to be moved1ongitudinally of said box, and its outer end is extended to form theaxle-nut chamber referred to in my other cases. This extension isprovided with an internal screw-thread, which is engaged by the externalscrew-thread of the nut C, but is of less extent than the latter. Thespace between the rear end of the not C and the forward or outer end ofthe axle-box is provided with a compressible packing, N. The axle-box Eis recessedat O to receive the sleeve D of the nut O. The packing N maybe rubber, leather, or a metallic spring. Now, it will be seen that ifthe nut (J be moved rotarily on the'axle it will run out the outerspoke-holder,and so increase the distance between the ends of thespokes, and hence render them taut or strain them. This movement of thenut may be accomplished by a suitable wrench, and the nut may eitherengage a screwthread on the axle, as described, to fit it in adjustedposition, or it may rotate loosely on the axle-nib,and be held inadjusted position by a separate nut, P, on the nib andthe packing N; andan additional safeguard may be used in the shape of a set-screw, R,tapped through the outer spoke-holder and bearing on the nut in the rearof its thread. The bearing of the nut 0 against the packing N serves toincrease the frictional hold of the rubber G on the annulus H, and thewedge-like joint then adds to the security of fastening, and preventsthe inner spoke-holder from slipping rotarily on the box.

The tire S is of metal and has its surface next the axle made convex, tothrow off laterally mud and dirt.

The spokes Uare of a construction usual in this class of wheels. I

What I claim as my invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Atension-wheelcomprisingatire,spokes, and an axle-box having afriction-gasket, G, applied to one end, a holder for one end of thespokes seated upon said gasket, and a threads engaged by a threaded nutrotarily holder for the other end of the spokes longiconnected with theaxle-nib, substantially as tudinally adjustable on the axle-box,substanset forth.

tia-lly as described. In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my 5 2 Thecombination of an axle-box having hand this 6th day of November, A. D.1884. 1ts1nner end beveled and provided with a SAMUEL T. WILLIAMSfriction-gasket, a holder for the inner ends of the spokes seated onsaid gasket, anda holder Witnesses:

for the outer ends of said spokes movable on ARTHUR O. WEBB, 10 said boxand provided with internal screw- ERNEST O. WEBB.

